Murata’s SN8200 series of self-contained certified Wi-Fi controller modules is intended to make it easy to add WiFi capability to various home appliances. The modules use Broadcom’s Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) architecture to provide comprehensive firmware and software features, including a built-in Wi-Fi security supplicant supporting WPA PSK and WPA2 PSK, TCP/IP network stack and a simple network interface card (SNIC) protocol that supports socket connections.
Microchip has added a certified Bluetooth Audio Module to its portfolio that supports audio for voice and music. The RN52 module provides low power consumption in a small, surface-mount form factor and includes standard Bluetooth audio and data profiles for all smart-phone platforms. According to Microchip, these features will make it easy to add high-quality wireless audio, combined with data capabilities, into wireless stereo speakers, headphones, automotive hands-free, medical devices and computer accessories.
A new report from Arieso reveals that despite a surge in the market for tablets, smartphone users have overtaken tablet users in their thirst for mobile data for the first time. As overall mobile data consumption continues to rocket, driven by new devices and richer content, the study suggests that extreme users are beginning to move to new LTE networks, but there is no let up on existing networks.
A new extension to Anritsu’s Rapid Test Designer (RTD) solution offers a solution for testing LTE signalling with IMS functions, audio and video quality. The extension to RTD provides the fastest and most flexible way to test Rich Communications Services (RCS) on LTE devices during development. Anritsu says this test creation environment can to create tests 5-10 times faster than when using a traditional scripting language.
Mouser has expanded its microsite covering RF and wireless technology – it now includes the latest drop-in RF modules with pre-certified radios. The site now features the newest RF modules from Skyworks, Murata, Panasonic, Texas Instruments and more. These RF solutions are organised by both frequency range (sub 1GHz, 1 - 5GHz, and over 5GHz) and protocol (Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and GPS).
NXP has shipped 100 million units of its TEF66xx automotive radio tuner family. 30 million of these units have been bought by car radio manufacturer JVC Kenwood, which was the very first customer to start mass production with this product. In recognition of JVC Kenwood’s commitment to the TEF66xx tuner family, NXP has honoured the company with a special customer award, presented at CES 2013.
ST has developed an integrated 2.4GHz balun design for Nordic's nRF51 and nRF24 Series transceivers and SoCs that eliminates the need for RF antenna matching circuitry. Since this matching circuitry can comprise up to eight passive components plus the interconnections between them, board space is cut by up to 90% while improving performance, simplifying design, and reducing cost and BoM.
Taiwanese manufacturer I-Rocks Technology has selected Cypress' PRoC-UI (Programmable Radio-on-a-Chip–User Interface) solution for its RF6496 wireless keyboard with built-in trackpad.
PRoC-UI provides support for Windows 8 compatible multi-touch gestures alongside wireless connectivity in a single chip. It uses the 2.4GHz proprietary WirelessUSB-NL Radio which boasts -87 dBm receive sensitivity at 1 Mbps. This enhanced sensitivity enables longer range operation and allows for lower-power transmit signals. It also offers superior performance in the presence of 2.4-GHz interference from common sources such as WiFi and Bluetooth devices. This robust wireless connectivity allows the I-Rocks RF6496 Touchpad Keyboard to operate up to 10 meters from a computer. This allows users to connect a PC to their TV and easily surf the web, play music, and watch films from the comfort of their sofa.
Nordic Semiconductor has launched two new RF reference designs at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.
The first is a smart TV/set-top-box remote control design. The nRFready Smart Remote 2 is a complete hardware and software reference design, which features Nordic's multi-protocol nRF51822 SoC. The nRF51822 offers simultaneous single chip Bluetooth low energy and Nordic 2.4GHz proprietary Gazell RF protocol support, and provides a feature-rich platform for developing remote controls for the latest Internet-enabled and Web 2.0 digital TVs and set-top boxes.
National Instruments has announced its acquisition of Dresden, Germany-based Signalion GmbH. The acquisition adds technical talent in complex RF and communications algorithms and wireless infrastructure and base station test.
